In this agenda, there is nothing fair and there is no hint of “We’re all in it together” in freezing welfare benefit increases at one per cent for the next three years.

That is a real-terms cut, not just for the unemployed, but for thousands of working people who struggle to get by in an era of rising food and energy costs.

But the Tories have been slyly successful in stigmatising and demonising those on welfare benefits as scroungers and workshy.

They have been so successful in fact that people find themselves agreeing with myths being perpetrated about welfare – unaware, of course, that they are myths – and say that the cuts in benefits should go ahead.

The TUC have done vital work in rebalancing some of these myths – as we report on these pages today.

Line by line, the TUC have stripped away the myths about who gets benefits – mostly people in work – and about benefit fraud, which is relatively small scale when compared to tax avoidance by the rich.

The truth remains that benefits are far from generous. The vast majority of the jobless are desperate for work and most benefit spending goes either on pensions or on benefits for those in jobs, not just on those who aren’t able to work.

The person behind the vile strategy to demonise the jobless is George Osborne, the ultimate political cynic who loves playing the game of divide and rule.

It is the same old Tory trick – played out back in the 80s and again now – of trying to divide and rule by setting working men and women against each other.

Nobody should fall for it.

Winning attitude

What a joy it is to report today on Scotland’s latest lottery millionaires, Barry Little and his wife Roberta.

Barry had to give up work as a carer after suffering a back injury. He and Roberta couldn’t keep up the mortgage payments on their ex-council house and had to sell it back to the council to keep a roof over their heads.

Now Barry, Roberta and their three children have had their money troubles solved overnight – thanks to a £1million win.

But is Barry going to sit back and spend? No, he wants to use some of the cash to start a business so he can work again because he didn’t like relying on benefits.

Memo to George Osborne – read Barry’s story. You might just learn a thing or two about the true spirit of working Scotland.

Jail house crocks

Have you heard the one about the prisoners being taught to do stand-up comedy?

It’s happening in Barlinnie prison.

Stand by for compensation claims from inmates who hurt themselves laughing.